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2019 National Specialty Results

National Specialty Results and win pictures can be found on the APC Website. Click on Events at the top of the home page and then Event Results. Included with the results are the critiques from the Sweepstakes, Futurity. Critique from Breed Judge will be posted shortly.

APC Juniors Past and Present

Junior Seminar at the National Specialty

A special thank you to Tuni Conti for conducting the “Junior Handler Clinic with Professionals” at the National

June 2019

American Pointer Club

Volunteering Her Time to Help

The following is written by Diana Chan. Diana is a former Junior Handler and presently a Junior

Showmanship Judge and Chairman of the APC Junior Handler Committee

Many of us are extremely fortunate to have such accessible veterinary care for our four-legged

companions. The veterinary services that we often take for granted are sometimes hard to obtain

in rural areas of the United States and around the world. The Fund for Animals, an affiliate of the

Humane Society of the United States, brings veterinary field clinics to remote rural communities

through their Rural Area Veterinary Services (RAVS) program. Operating since 1995, this

mostly volunteer non-profit veterinary outreach program delivers high-quality veterinary medical

services to under-served rural communities while also providing hands-on experience for

veterinary and veterinary technician students. The average RAVS team consists of 15-30

students, 5-15 veterinarians and technicians, and 2-4 support volunteers.

My first experience working with RAVS was in June 2018 when I traveled to the Spirit Lake

Reservation in North Dakota. Over the years, RAVS has worked on more than 40 reservations

throughout the U.S. and dozens of Appalachian communities. By volunteering with RAVS I was

hoping to give back to some of the communities that we have taken so much from. I applied as a

veterinary technician volunteer and found that the experience was not only emotionally

rewarding, but also a valuable learning opportunity. I knew that I had to apply for another trip.

I just recently got back from my second RAVS trip that brought me to the White Mountain

Apache Reservation in Arizona. We cared for a total of 620 animals, all at no cost to the clients.

Over the course of the four surgery days that we offered, we spayed and neutered 100 dogs and

48 cats and also performed two entropion repairs and a much needed leg amputation. We also

treated several transmissible venereal tumors, something that I had never even heard of before

going on this trip. We dedicated two days to wellness appointments and also offered them in the

afternoon of the surgery days. Over the course of the week, we completed wellness exams on

472 patients! In addition to a comprehensive physical

exam, we offered distemper and rabies vaccines and

provided routine deworming and flea/tick prevention to

all patients. Those that required specific medical

treatment for tick borne diseases or mange were

provided with appropriate medications.

You don’t have to be a veterinary student or professional

to get involved, if RAVS seems like something that you

would like to be a part of, I encourage you to apply as a

support volunteer or consider making a donation. Take

look at their website (http://www.ruralareavet.org/) or

feel free to reach out to me if you are interested

(chan.dianam@gmail.com).

O’Malley McGee For most high schoolers, one dog is a

big responsibility. But for 16-year-old

O’Malley McGee, that’s nothing. Most

of her adolescence so far has revolved

around her six dogs — three Pointers

(Julia, Billy, and Olivia); two Vizslas

(James and Jolene); and a Treeing

Walker Coonhound

Early Beginnings

Half her lifetime ago, O’Malley

remembers watching her mom show

Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers. She

wanted to be just like her — showing

in the Conformation ring. At 11, she

started in sports herself: Conformation,

Junior Showmanship, Hunt tests,

Coonhound Bench Shows, Fast CAT,

and Trick Dog.

My favorite dog sport is showing in the

Conformation breed ring because I get

to learn about all the different breeds,”

she says.

Her biggest accomplishment so far is winning college scholarships through the Junior Showmanship

program. Last year, she came in fourth in the 2018 Junior Versatility Award, which recognizes kids who

participate in at least three dog sports.

Big Responsibility

Every night, O’Malley cuddles with her

dogs in bed. And the sleep is well-

deserved — O’Malley usually has to get

up at 5:30 a.m. or earlier every morning

to let her dogs out and feed them. Nights

are just as busy. She’s learned to

prioritize her responsibilities as a dog

owner over hanging out with her friends

sometimes. But she wouldn’t have it any

other way.

“What I love about being a junior handler is that I get to travel almost every weekend, and show my best friend, and spend time with them,” O’Malley says. “And also making new friends across the country.”

O’Malley has competed at Westminster the past two years — only about 100 Juniors nationwide qualify. In 2018, she ranked sixth in Junior Showmanship and was ranked the second Junior in Hunt Tests.

Her advice for other kids getting started in junior handling or other dog sports is to find a mentor.

“What I think makes a good dog handler, trainer, and owner is to love your pets and love the sport. But also, you have to be willing to take the time and effort to do this.”

Pictures from the National

The following article was submitted by Debra Freidus, DVM

FDA Investigation into Potential Link between Certain Diets and Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Updated June 27, 2019

In July 2018, the FDA announced that it had begun investigating reports of canine dilated cardiomyopathy

(DCM) in dogs eating certain pet foods, many labeled as "grain-free," which contained a high proportion of

peas, lentils, other legume seeds (pulses), and/or potatoes in various forms (whole, flour, protein, etc.) as main

ingredients (listed within the first 10 ingredients in the ingredient list, before vitamins and minerals). Many of

these case reports included breeds of dogs not previously known to have a genetic predisposition to the

disease. The FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) and the Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and

Response Network (Vet-LIRN), a collaboration of government and veterinary diagnostic laboratories, continue

to investigate this potential association. Based on the data collected and analyzed thus far, the agency believes

that the potential association between diet and DCM in dogs is a complex scientific issue that may involve

multiple factors.

We understand the concern that pet owners have about these reports: the illnesses can be severe, even fatal,

and many cases report eating “grain-free” labeled pet food. The FDA is using a range of science-based

investigative tools as it strives to learn more about this emergence of DCM and its potential link to certain

diets or ingredients.

Following an update in February 2019 that covered investigative activities through November 30, 2018, this is

the FDA’s third public report on the status of this investigation.

Cases Reported to FDA For the purposes of this investigation, the FDA defines a “case” as an illness reported to FDA involving a dog

or cat that includes a diagnosis of DCM. Many of the reports submitted to the FDA included extensive clinical

information, including echocardiogram results, cardiology/veterinary records, and detailed diet histories. The

numbers below only include reports in which the dog or cat was diagnosed with DCM by a veterinarian and/or

veterinary cardiologist. We did not include in these numbers the many general cardiac reports submitted to the

FDA that did not have a DCM diagnosis. However, this case information is still valuable, as it may show heart

changes that occur before a dog develops symptomatic DCM. (Please see the Vet-LIRN DCM Investigative

Update for more technical information on the reported cases, including those without a formal diagnosis of

DCM). Although the FDA first received a few sporadic reports of DCM as early as 2014, the vast majority of

the reports were submitted after the agency notified the public about the potential DCM/diet issue in July 2018.

Between January 1, 2014 and April 30, 2019, the FDA received 524 reports of DCM (515 canine reports,

9 feline reports). Approximately 222 of these were reported between December 1, 2018 and April 30, 2019

(219 canine reports, 3 feline reports). Some of these reports involved more than one affected animal from the

same household. The breakdown of reported illnesses below reflects the number of individual animals

affected. The American Veterinary Medical Association estimates that there are 77 million pet dogs in the

United States. Most dogs in the U.S. have been eating pet food without apparently developing DCM. It’s not

known how commonly dogs develop DCM, but the increase in reports to FDA signal a potential increase in

cases of DCM in dogs not genetically predisposed.

Animal numbers in DCM Reports received between January 1, 2014 and April

30, 2019

Number of reports Number of animals affected Number of deaths

Dogs 515 560 119

Cats* 9 14 5

*Cats are generally more likely to develop hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (a heart disease)

Dilated cardiomyopathy is recognized as a genetic condition in dogs, typically in large or giant breeds, such as

the Doberman Pinscher, Great Dane, or the Irish Wolfhound. It is also seen in Cocker Spaniels associated with

taurine deficiency. It is believed to be less common in small and medium breed dogs. We suspect that cases are

underreported because animals are typically treated symptomatically, and diagnostic testing and treatment can

be complex and costly to owners. FDA has observed a reporting bias for breeds like Golden Retrievers due to

breed-specific social media groups and activities that have raised awareness of the issue in these communities

and urged owners and vets to submit reports to FDA. Because the occurrence of different diseases in dogs and

cats is not routinely tracked and there is no widespread surveillance system like the Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention have for human health, we do not have a measure of the typical rate of occurrence of

disease apart from what is reported to the FDA.

Additional breeds with more than one report include Afghan Hound, Australian Cattle Dog, Beagle, Belgian

Tervueren, Border Collie, Boston Terrier, Bull Terrier, Chihuahua, Dalmatian, English Cocker Spaniel,

English Springer Spaniel, Flat-coated Retriever, French Bulldog, Gordon Setter, Hound (unspecified), Irish

Setter, Irish Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier, Jack Russel Terrier, Maltese, Miniature Schnauzer, Old English

Sheepdog, Pomeranian, Portuguese Water Dog, Pug, Retriever (unspecified), Rhodesian Ridgeback,

Rottweiler, Rough-haired Collie, Saluki, Samoyed, Schnauzer (unspecified), Shepherd (unspecified),

Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Standard Long-haired Dachschund, Vizsla, Whippet, and Yorkshire Terrier.

Genetic forms of DCM tend to affect male large and giant breed dogs beginning in middle to older age. DCM

cases reported to FDA CVM have involved a wide range of dog breeds, ages and weights. There have been a

greater proportion of males than females, consistent with what is seen in genetic forms. The significance of this

is unknown, but it may be that some cases are genetic in origin or a combination of diet and genetic tendencies.

Table 1: Mean Age and Weight - DCM Cases in Dogs Reported to FDA-CVM

Dogs Mean Range

Age (years) 6.6 0.4-16

Weight (lbs) 67.8 4-212

Table 2: Mean Age and Weight - DCM Cases in Cats Reported to FDA-CVM

Cats Mean Range

Age (years) 6 0.4-17

Weight (lbs) 10.7 7-13

Table 3: Sex of DCM cases reported to FDA-CVM by species (%)

Sex (%of cases) Male Female

Dogs 58.7 41.3

Cats 62.5 37.5

Back to the top

Diet Information from Reported Cases Review of the canine reports shows that most reports were for dry dog food formulations, but raw food, semi-

moist food, and wet foods were also represented.

When examining the most commonly reported pet food brands named in DCM reports submitted to the FDA,

it is important to note that the graph below is based on reports that included brand information and that some

reports named multiple brands. Brands that were named ten or more times are featured below. For a granular,

case-by-case breakdown of DCM reports submitted to the FDA, see Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Complaints Submitted to FDA-CVM Through April 30, 2019. FDA urges pet owners to work with their

veterinarians, who may consult a board-certified veterinary nutritionist, to obtain the most appropriate dietary

advice for their pet's specific needs prior to making diet changes.

To better characterize diets reported in DCM cases, product labels were examined to determine whether the

product was grain-free (did not contain corn, soy, wheat, rice, barley or other grains), and whether the products

contained peas, other lentils including chickpeas and beans, or potatoes (including sweet potatoes). Because so

many products contained peas and/or lentils, a category was created for “peas and/or lentils”. More than 90

percent of products were “grain-free”, and 93 percent of reported products had peas and/or lentils. A far

smaller proportion contained potatoes.

Animal protein sources in the reported diets varied widely, and many diets contained more than one protein

source. The most common proteins in the reported diets were chicken lamb and fish; however, some diets

contain atypical protein sources such as kangaroo, bison or duck. No one animal protein source was

predominant.

Product Testing Before the July 2018 DCM Update, FDA/Vet-LIRN had tested multiple products for minerals and metals

(calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, cobalt, copper, zinc, selenium, iodine) and amino acids including

taurine, cysteine, and methionine. That product testing did not reveal any abnormalities.

Since the July 2018 DCM Update, Vet-LIRN tested both products labeled as "grain-free" and those containing

grain for the following:

• protein, fat, moisture • crude fiber, total dietary fiber, soluble fiber, insoluble fiber • total starch, resistant starch • cystine, methionine, and taurine

The average percent protein, fat, total taurine, total cystine, total methionine, total methionine-cystine, and

resistant starch content on a dry matter basis (in other words, after removing all moisture content) were similar

for both grain-free labeled and grain-containing products. For more details, please see the Vet-LIRN DCM

Update

Additional food testing is in progress.

Taurine & Amino Acids Nutritional research indicates that taurine is generally not considered an essential amino acid for dogs, because

these animals can synthesize taurine from cysteine and methionine. Nearly all the grain-free products had

methionine-cystine values above the minimum nutritional requirement of 0.65 percent for adult maintenance

food for dogs published in the AAFCO Official Publication (OP).

The FDA is still gathering information to better understand if (and how) taurine metabolism (both absorption

and excretion) may have a role in these reports of canine dilated cardiomyopathy.

Diagnostic Testing – Vet-LIRN Vet-LIRN has interviewed 95 owners of affected dogs and cats to document the pets’ complete dietary history

and to explore any other factors that could have potentially contributed to development of DCM, such as

environmental factors like heavy metal exposure or poisonous plant ingestion.

In addition, Vet-LIRN has contracted with a network lab to collect blood (whole blood and plasma), urine,

feces, and DNA from dogs without a known breed predisposition to DCM (as a point of comparison) to send to

Vet-LIRN for testing.

As of April 30, 2019, Vet-LIRN has reviewed results of 19 gross necropsies from dogs with suspected heart

disease, including 13 necropsies that Vet-LIRN coordinated from cases reported through the FDA Safety

Reporting Portal. There is one additional necropsy pending evaluation. The gross necropsies were performed

by either veterinarians or veterinary pathologists, and Vet-LIRN is currently processing tissues for

histopathology. A board-certified veterinary pathologist will review the histopathology slides.

Vet-LIRN has been collaborating with Chesapeake Veterinary Cardiology Associates (CVCA) to collect

medical records, an owner interview, and diagnostic samples from pets with DCM that were diagnosed by a

board-certified veterinary cardiologist by echocardiogram. These cases are included in the overall number of

DCM cases, but were selected for further study because their ongoing program of care with the practice will be

comprehensively documented and provided in full to Vet-LIRN.

Upon confirmation of a DCM diagnosis, CVCA collects blood (whole blood and plasma), urine, feces, DNA

swabs, and food, if the pet is not receiving any supplements (e.g. taurine, cystine, or methionine) and is still

eating a diet labeled “grain-free.” Vet-LIRN will test the blood and urine for taurine, cystine, methionine, and

other amino acids. Vet-LIRN is archiving feces and DNA from these cases for possible future testing.

CVCA will repeat collection of urine, blood, and feces at 1 to 2 months, and at 6 months after the initial

diagnosis and document any treatment or dietary changes, if any, that were recommended by the cardiologist.

The repeat urine and blood samples will be tested for amino acid content and the feces archived. At the 6-

month recheck, CVCA will also conduct a repeat echocardiogram to assess any changes to the heart. As of

April 30, 2019, CVCA and Vet-LIRN have collected initial samples from 14 dogs, and 1 to 2-month samples

from 10 dogs. CVCA is currently collecting the 6-month samples.

Of the original 14 dogs in this cohort, five dogs have been lost to follow-up at various points after the initial

sample collection, including 4 deaths, and will not complete the sample collection. Vet-LIRN is currently

evaluating the heart histopathology for two of the deceased dogs. The initial and 1 to 2-month blood and urine

samples for 14 and 10 dogs, respectively, have been tested and are being evaluated.

Vet-LIRN is also collecting food associated with each CVCA case and will test each diet for:

• protein, fat, moisture • crude fiber, total dietary fiber, soluble fiber, insoluble fiber • total starch, resistant starch • free and total cystine, methionine, and taurine

Golden Retrievers

Past publications and research suggest that Golden Retrievers may be genetically predisposed to taurine

deficiency, which is well-documented as potentially leading to DCM.

Veterinary cardiologist Dr. Joshua Stern from the University of California at Davis has been studying the rise

in cases of DCM in Golden Retrievers, including a potential dietary link. Many cases of DCM in Golden

Retrievers are taurine-deficient. Pet owners who suspect their Golden Retrievers may be affected may wish to

consult their veterinarian to discuss checking taurine levels or conducting an echocardiogram.

Collaboration When unprecedented events such as these occur, the FDA often consults with stakeholders across the animal

health community to help fill any knowledge gaps that may help inform its investigation. These collaborations

can help provide pieces to complete the puzzle and allow us to gain a better understanding of what happened.

Veterinary Community

FDA veterinarians have been working with the veterinary community to exchange information about existing

cases and the type of clinical information that is most helpful to the investigation. We are also consulting with

a cadre of board-certified veterinary cardiologists and nutritionists to learn more about the presentation of these

cases and how they respond to treatment.

Chesapeake Veterinary Cardiology Associates (CVCA), a multi-location veterinary cardiology practice based

predominantly in the Mid-Atlantic states, has provided comprehensive records for some DCM cases (including

medical records, owner interviews, and diagnostic samples from pets with DCM diagnosed with an

echocardiogram by a board-certified cardiologist) to the Vet-LIRN network for further testing. These case

records include imaging studies of the animal’s hearts, comprehensive dietary histories, diagnostic and

treatment records, as well as outcomes of the cases.

FDA veterinarians have been working with Drs. Lisa Freeman of Tufts University, Joshua Stern of UC Davis

and Darcy Adin of the University of Florida to learn more about their research findings and the cases they’ve

encountered. The three were contributing authors to a paper published in Journal of American Veterinary

Medical Association in December 2018, “Diet-associated dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs: what do we

know?External Link Disclaimer"

Pet Owners

As animal lovers and pet owners, FDA employees understand that the sudden onset of a life-threatening

disease in a previously healthy pet can be devastating. The FDA is incredibly grateful to those pet owners who

have agreed to be interviewed and given permission for their veterinarians to share medical records and

diagnostic samples, including blood, serum and tissue. The agency is especially appreciative when pet owners

make the difficult decision to provide tissues for analysis when a beloved pet passes away. The FDA believes

that the information gained will help the FDA to understand the specific changes that are happening in the

cardiovascular system and how they may relate to diet.

Industry

Another puzzling aspect of the recent spike in DCM cases is that they have occurred just in the last few years.

The FDA is working with the pet food industry to better understand whether changes in ingredients, ingredient

sourcing, processing or formulation may have contributed to the development of DCM.

What you can do The FDA is open to additional opportunities for collaboration and welcomes the submission of any

information that may aid in our investigation. Detailed instructions for submitting case information can be

found on “How to Report a Pet Food Complaint."

Pet Owners

If a dog is showing possible signs of DCM or other heart conditions, including decreased energy, cough,

difficulty breathing and episodes of collapse, you should contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. If the

symptoms are severe and your veterinarian is not available, you may need to seek emergency veterinary care.

Your veterinarian may ask you for a thorough dietary history, including all the foods (including treats) the dog

has eaten.

Veterinarians

CVM encourages veterinary professionals to report well-documented cases of DCM in dogs suspected of

having a link to diet by using the electronic Safety Reporting Portal or calling their state’s FDA Consumer

Complaint Coordinators. The more information you are able to provide, particularly about feeding history,

medical records, and diagnostic testing, the better. Detailed instructions can be found on “How to Report a Pet

Food Complaint." Technical veterinary information that may aid veterinarians can be found in our Vet-LIRN

Update.

Industry

The FDA looks to industry organizations and pet food manufacturers to contribute to the FDA's investigation

while continuing their own investigations to help shed light on potential issues with formulas or ingredients.

What’s Next The FDA is continuing to investigate and gather more information in an effort to identify whether there is a

specific dietary link to development of DCM and will provide updates to the public as information develops.

APC AND REGIONAL CLUB UPCOMING EVENTS

August

Ohio Hall of Fame Pointer Club – Specialty – August 3, 2019 in conjunction with Beaver County Kennel

Club. Breed Judge – Mrs Charlotte Patterson Sweepstakes Judge – Dr. Lori Hunt

APC Supported – Rainer Sporting Dog Association - August 15, 2019 _ Enumclaw, WA Breed Judge – Mc Stacey Dais